In this presentation they shared advice on developing a healthy, sustainable writing habit. To establish a growth mindset capable of accomplishing this goal, they acknowledged seven common myths about habit formation – and the reality of each.

Myth #1 – You can form habits through motivation

Bad news: Having all the motivation in the world will not insure habits formation.

Good news: If you have trouble building habits, it does not mean that you are unmotivated.

Myth #2 – Learning about benefits will help us form new habits

Educating people about the benefits of a behavior does not equal changing habits. Habits are formed through doing – not thinking about them.

Myth #3 – Lack of will power is to blame for our failure to form habits

Lifestyle overhauls have a much greater chance of failure than small, incremental change (i.e., microhabits).

Myth #6 – It takes 21 days to form a habit

Time helps but depends on how “difficult” a habit is – e.g., drinking water before meals was achieved by most study participants in 18 days; regular exercising took more than a year.

Myth #7 – Apps can change our behavior

They can help you monitor behavior better than change one’s behavior.

To build healthy, sustainable habits (in writing or other areas of desired growth), the presenters suggested that you examine your current habits for underlying features that make them strong. For the habits you wish to form – your “not yet” habits – consider how those features can be applied and what conditions are preventing those habits from forming.